Council launches park and walk to work campaign

To encourage residents to get active and walk more before and after work, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has launched a Park and Walk to Work awareness campaign ahead of national Walk to Work Day, on Friday, April 5.

The council is sharing information on its free car parks, which are located further away from Enniskillen and Omagh town centres, to encourage people to increase daily physical activity before and after work.

To stay healthy, adults aged 19 to 64 should try to be physically active every day.

The UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines advise at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity per week which is about 20–30 minutes of physical activity a day.

By parking in carparks which are further away from workplaces, and walking 10-15mins before and after work, will enable people to closely meet this physical activity guideline.

For example, Old Mountfield Road Car Park, Omagh, is around an 11minute walk to Omagh High Street.

Commenting on the campaign, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cllr Thomas O’ Reilly said, “The Council is committed to improving the lives and wellbeing of our communities. Through this Park and Walk to Work awareness campaign, we hope to inspire and raise awareness of a fairly convenient way that our residents can add physical activity to their day.

“Walking is a simple, free way of getting more physically active. It’s ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels. It’s also easy to build into your daily routine and doesn’t need any special equipment. Many of us are counting the steps we make each day and aiming for 10,000 per day, and by parking that little bit further away from work, we can take more steps each day.”

Walking has many mental and physical health benefits. For example, it can improve energy, reduce stress, reduce blood pressure, manage weight and improve sleep.

To encourage safe walking to work, Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has provided twenty-five high visibility goodie bags which include a bag for a change of shoe and personal safety equipment.

To get a free high vis pack, visit the  Omagh Connect Centre from to April 8, between 9am and 5pm.

Find more information on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Customer Connect Centres here: www.fermanaghomagh.com/residential-services/public-services-centre/.

Please note, there is a restriction of one high vis goodie bag per person, and they will be provided on a first come served basis.